The appointments reflect Gravita’s continued investment in senior talent to support its growing client base with high-quality, specialist and joined-up advice.

New senior appointments:

• Genevieve Morris – Executive Member, Head of Tax, London
• Ian Cokayne – Executive Member, Chief Legal and Risk Officer, London
• David Gage – VAT Partner, Bristol
• Tanveer Mahtab-Ahmed – Head of Outsourced Finance, London
• Alan Sanders – Director of Audit, Exeter
• Sudhir Bance – Director of Audit, London

Genevieve Morris joins the firm as Head of Tax, bringing more than 20 years’ experience advising UK companies on all aspects of UK corporate taxation, including tax compliance and reporting, as well as tax advisory services such as overseas expansion, and mergers and acquisitions. Genevieve joins after a successful 13-year career with Blick Rothenberg, having previously spent nine years at Deloitte. She is a firm believer in coaching the next generation of talent, becoming a certified Coach last year, and helping to embed a culture of learning, something she is excited to bring to Gravita.

Gravita has also appointed Ian Cokayne as its first Chief Legal and Risk Officer, a hire that reflects the diversity of its client base, with both small to medium sized businesses and those with increasing scale and complexity. Ian joins from Grant Thornton, where he led the Office of the General Counsel and the firm’s Quality & Risk function. During his tenure, Ian was part of major legal transactions, oversaw high value disputes, investigations and partner matters, and advised on governance.

Appointed VAT Partner in Bristol, David Gage becomes the eighth member of Gravita’s dedicated VAT team. He brings more than a decade of experience advising across sectors including financial services, property, professional practices and not-for-profit organisations.  David also supports entrepreneurial and owner-managed businesses as they scale, helping them to ensure their UK and international VAT obligations are effectively managed.

Tanveer Mahtab-Ahmed joins as Head of Outsourced Finance from a Top 20 firm, bringing a people-first approach and senior leadership experience across both practice and industry. She is passionate about supporting businesses at every stage of their growth journey – from ambitious owner-managed businesses to established mid-market organisations, ensuring that all clients benefit from Gravita’s tech-driven approach to finance.

Alan Sanders joins as Director of Audit in Exeter with over 15 years’ audit and assurance experience, specialising in owner-managed businesses and complex assurance engagements.

Sudhir Bance also joins as Director of Audit in the London office. Sudhir brings over fifteen years’ audit experience and specialises in working with AIM and Aquis listed entities, as well as clients within the technology and creative media industries.

Heather Swanston, Interim CEO and Chair of Gravita said: “After a strong 2025, where nearly 1,000 new clients joined the firm, 12% of colleagues earned a promotion, employee sentiment increased by 4%, and our tech transformation accelerated at pace, these appointments signal, internally and externally, our plans for another ambitious year at Gravita. This is an exciting time to join the Gravita brand, and we will continue to invest in the very best talent across the UK, individuals who bring technical excellence, a commercial mindset, and a real focus on people and culture.”

The partnership welcomes Crowleys DFK, one of Ireland’s leading firms of accountants and business advisers into the Shaw Gibbs Group.  With 14 Partners and 131 employees operating over two offices in Dublin and Cork, Crowleys DFK have provided client-focused accountancy, advisory and associated services for more than 50 years.

This move is supported by further strategic investment from Apiary Capital, accelerating the growth of Crowleys DFK in the three core areas of: learning & development, technology, and succession planning.

Importantly, both Crowleys DFK and Shaw Gibbs are proud members of DFK International, a global alliance of accounting firms providing audit, tax and advisory services, working closely together across over 430 offices in over 90 countries.

Peter O’Connell, CEO of Shaw Gibbs said

“We have worked with James and the team at Crowleys DFK for several years, sharing knowledge and business strategies as well as working together on client matters. 

This partnership allows for an investment into the Crowleys DFK business and team to achieve further growth, development and investment into the geopolitically stable and business-friendly Irish market.

We are very pleased to welcome them to the Group.”

James O’Connor, Managing Partner of Crowleys DFK added

“We’re proud to be working with Shaw Gibbs, whose partnering philosophy, culture and strategy align closely with our own vision.

While this partnership represents a significant step forward, our day-to-day operations remain unchanged. Our firm name, brand, leadership team, and client relationships will continue as they are. This investment is about reinforcing our foundation, not altering it.

This partnership is more than financial - it’s a shared commitment to sustainable growth, innovation, and impact. With our strengthened connection to the Shaw Gibbs Group and the financial support from its Investor, we are well-positioned to build on our success and shape the next chapter of our firm’s evolution.

This is a significant moment for our firm, and we’re excited about what lies ahead.”

This marks the 12^th transaction that the Shaw Gibbs Group have completed since  Apiary Capital’s investment in November 2022. The addition of Crowleys DFK to the Group will result in a practice with 70 Partners and 747 people based over 20 offices in Central & Southern England and Ireland.

About the Shaw Gibbs Group

Shaw Gibbs is a top 35 accountancy practice who provide expert solutions for entrepreneurial businesses and private individuals. Investing in teams of high-quality specialists, they work with the best-in-breed technology to create value for clients which exceeds expectation.

www.shawgibbs.com

About Crowleys DFK

Crowleys DFK is one of Ireland’s leading firms of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors.  With offices in Dublin and Cork, we have been providing client-focused audit, accountancy, financial advisory, taxation, corporate finance and consulting services for 50 years.

https://www.crowleysdfk.ie/

Angela brings a strong commitment to leadership development, collaboration, and regional connectivity. As Chair, she will work closely with the sub-committee to shape strategic initiatives that support professional growth, foster cross-border engagement, and build a strong pipeline of future leaders across the APAC region.

Alongside this leadership announcement, DFK APAC is delighted to highlight the addition of Wikky Goh Wang Chee as one of our newest Emerging Leaders members.

Wikky is an Audit Manager at JK Medora PAC in Singapore and a highly experienced Chartered Accountant with more than 15 years of expertise in auditing, financial management, and compliance. She has led audit teams across a broad range of industries, including multinational corporations, shipping, and education, and is recognised for her ability to resolve complex accounting matters while delivering exceptional client outcomes.

A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and a member of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants, Wikky brings deep technical expertise in compliance audits, risk management frameworks, and regulatory reporting. Her strong command of advanced audit tools and accounting software, combined with a practical and solutions-focused approach, makes her a valuable addition to the DFK APAC Emerging Leaders community.

The appointment of a new Chair and the continued growth of the Emerging Leaders group highlights DFK APAC’s commitment to developing talent, encouraging collaboration, and strengthening the future leadership of the profession across the region.